Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) looks to control a ball while the Edmonton Eddies' Fabien Vorbe (27) moves in during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) looks to control a ball while the Edmonton Eddies' Fabien Vorbe (27) moves in during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News

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The Edmonton Eddies' Fabien Vorbe (27) holds Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) as he makes his way towards the goal during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

The Edmonton Eddies' Fabien Vorbe (27) holds Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) as he makes his way towards the goal during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News

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Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) looks for a foul during a match against the Edmonton Eddies on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Scorpions forward Hans Denissen (10) looks for a foul during a match against the Edmonton Eddies on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News

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San Antonio Scorpions Forward Hans Denissen (10) reacts after missing an open shot during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

San Antonio Scorpions Forward Hans Denissen (10) reacts after missing an open shot during the teams' match on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News

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Atlanta's Danilo Turcios gets jammed away from the ball by Hans Denissen as the San Antonio Scorpions host the Atlanta Silverbacks at Heroes Stadium on June 30, 2012.

Atlanta's Danilo Turcios gets jammed away from the ball by Hans Denissen as the San Antonio Scorpions host the Atlanta Silverbacks at Heroes Stadium on June 30, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Charlotte's Josh Rife, left, is intercepted by the Scorpions' Hans Denissen during a U.S. Open Cup soccer match, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Charlotte's Josh Rife, left, is intercepted by the Scorpions' Hans Denissen during a U.S. Open Cup soccer match, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Heroes Stadium.

Photo: Darren Abate, Express-News

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The Scorpions' Hans Denissen raises his arms in protest to the referee during a US Open Cup soccer match against the Charlotte Eagles, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

The Scorpions' Hans Denissen raises his arms in protest to the referee during a US Open Cup soccer match against the Charlotte Eagles, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

Photo: Darren Abate, Express-News

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Hans Denissen of the San Antonio Scorpions scores on a successful free kick against the Houston Dynamo during U.S. Open Cup match action at Heroes Stadium on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

Hans Denissen of the San Antonio Scorpions scores on a successful free kick against the Houston Dynamo during U.S. Open Cup match action at Heroes Stadium on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

Photo: Billy Calzada, Billy Calzada / Express-News

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The Rowdies' Frankie Sanfilippo bumps the ball away from Hans Denissen as the Scorpions host Tampa Bay in NASL action at Heroes Stadium on May 5, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News

The Rowdies' Frankie Sanfilippo bumps the ball away from Hans Denissen as the Scorpions host Tampa Bay in NASL action at Heroes Stadium on May 5, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News

Photo: TOM REEL, Express-News

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The San Antonio Scorpions' Hans Denissen (right) dribbles past the Puerto Rico Islanders' Jared Van Schaik (left) during the Scorpions' home opener of their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League (NASL) on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Heroes Stadium.

The San Antonio Scorpions' Hans Denissen (right) dribbles past the Puerto Rico Islanders' Jared Van Schaik (left) during the Scorpions' home opener of their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League

“I don't think I can go back (to Holland) anymore,” Denissen said jokingly. “It just makes it easier to show when we go out. I had to use my passport last season and it was a big thing. We went to a bowling alley. ... I couldn't even drink because I had a European passport. I was like, 'What is that all about?' It's better now.”

With that inconvenience sorted out, Denissen is free to concentrate on other matters in his second campaign with the Scorpions. Biggest of all will be re-establishing the form he showed at the start of last season before injuries and a strategic shift minimized his impact.

Denissen started strong, forming a potent 1-2 punch with Brazilian forward Pablo Campos. At one point, Denissen led the NASL in shot attempts despite being a natural facilitator.

But his aggression waned as the year wore on, mainly due to strains in each hamstring that rendered him tentative.

“He started off very well, then he had the injuries,” manager Tim Hankinson said. “I felt that ... he was avoiding being explosive. He was avoiding penetrating. It was all backward play, collecting, which is not as demanding on the body. Toward the end of the season, we gave him an ultimatum that he needed to play in that forward role and become dangerous again.”

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By then, the Scorpions had adopted a direct, counterattacking style to showcase Campos. As effective as the strategy was — Campos led the league in scoring, as did the Scorpions as a whole — it didn't always mesh with Denissen's preference to pass and possess.

Now, with Hankinson having assembled what he believes is a deeper, more versatile roster, Denissen is hoping to settle into his preferred role as a withdrawn forward in support of the front line.

“That's my most confident position,” said Denissen, who had four goals and four assists last season. “I'm excited for how it will all turn out.

“What they're telling me is (the new additions) are very skillful. I just hope that it's true.”